2002 Mercury Mountaineer fuel pressure

SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
•Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
•Check the tire pressure when tires arecold,after the vehicle has
been parked for at least 3 hours or has been driven less than 5 km (3
miles). As you drive, the temperature in the tire warms up, increasing
the tire pressure.
•Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certification Label. Tire pressure information can also be found on the
Tire Information label located on the inside of the fuel filler door.
•Check tires for proper air pressure monthly. Check spare tire for
proper air pressure every six months.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle’s tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them as indicated in the scheduled maintenance guide. If you notice that
the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
•Four tire rotation
Maintenance and care
253

ChangingtireswithTPMS
It is recommended that you always
have your tires serviced by a dealer
or qualified technician.Each tire is
equipped with a tire pressure
sensor mounted on the wheel
inside the tire behind the valve
stem. The tire pressure sensor
must be unbolted from the wheel prior to tire removal. The
sensor can be removed by loosening the nut at the valve stem.
Failure to remove the sensor may damage it.The rubber grommet
(washer) between the wheel and the tire pressure sensor needs to be
replaced when any tire is changed to minimize air leaks.
The tire pressure should be checked periodically (at least monthly) using
a tire gauge, refer toChecking the tire pressurein this chapter.
USING SNOW TIRES AND TRACTION DEVICES
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, using snow tires or traction
devices may be necessary. Ford offers tire cables as a Ford approved
accessory and recommends use of these or SAE class“S”. See your
dealer or qualified service technician for more information on tire cables
for your vehicle.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and traction devices:
•Cables or chains should only be used on the rear wheels.
•Install cables or chains securely, verifying that the cables or chains do
not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables or chains rub or bang against
the vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove the
cables or chains to prevent vehicle damage.
•Avoid overloading your vehicle.
•Remove the cables or chains when they are no longer needed.
•Do not use cables or chains on dry roads.
•Do not exceed 48 km/h (30 mph) with tire cables or chains on your
vehicle.
Maintenance and care
256

Consult your dealer for information on other Ford approved methods of
traction control.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death if misused or
mishandled.
Fuel ethanol and gasoline may contain benzene, which is a
cancer-causing agent.
Observe the following guidelines when handling automotive fuel:
•Extinguish all smoking materials
and any open flames before
fueling your vehicle.
•Always turn off the vehicle before
fueling.
•Automotive fuels can be harmful
or fatal if swallowed. Fuels such as gasoline and ethanol are highly
toxic and if swallowed can cause death or permanent injury. If fuel is
swallowed, call a physician immediately, even if no symptoms are
immediately apparent. The toxic effects of fuel may not be visible for
hours.
Maintenance and care
257

When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
If the“Check Fuel Cap”indicator comes on and stays on after you start
the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. Turn off the
engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap properly and reinstall it.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Fuel Filter
For fuel filter replacement, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate
intervals for changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
Maintenance and care
262

•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
Flex fuel (E-85) cruising range
Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per gallon than gasoline, you will
experience an increase in fuel consumption. You can expect your Miles
Maintenance and care
265

Aluminum wheels and covers
Aluminum wheel rims or covers are coated with a clearcoat paint finish.
In order to maintain their shine:
•Clean with Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner (ZC-37–A), which is
available from your dealer.
•Never apply any cleaning chemical to hot or warm wheel rims or
covers.
•Some automatic car washes may cause damage to the finish on your
wheel rims or covers. Chemical-strength cleaners, or cleaning
chemicals, in combination with brush agitation to remove brake dust
and dirt, could wear away the clearcoat finish over time.
•Do not use hydrofluoric acid-based or high caustic-based wheel
cleaners, steel wool, fuels or strong household detergent.
•To remove tar and grease, use Ford Extra Strength Tar and Road Oil
Removal (B7A-19520–AA), available from your dealer.
Engine
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
•Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The high
pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
•Do not spray a hot engine with cold water to avoid cracking the
engine block or other engine components.
•Spray Motorcraft Engine Shampoo and Degreaser (ZC-20) on all parts
that require cleaning and pressure rinse clean.
Maintenance and care
277

Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................222
Emission control system ..........266
Engine ........................................287
check engine/service engine
soon light ....................................9
cleaning ...................................277
coolant .....................................240
fail-safe coolant ......................244
idle speed control ...................248
lubrication
specifications ..................285, 287
refill capacities ........................282
service points ..................232–233
starting after a collision .........205
Engine block heater .................172
Engine oil ..................................233
checking and adding ..............233
dipstick ....................................233
filter, specifications ........237, 282
recommendations ...................237
refill capacities ........................282
specifications ..................285, 287
Exhaust fumes ..........................173
F
Fail safe cooling ........................244
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....257
Floor mats ...................................99
Fluid capacities .........................282
Foglamps .....................................31
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................186
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................180
Fuel ............................................257calculating fuel
economy ............................22, 262
cap .....................................10, 261
capacity ...................................282
choosing the right fuel ...........259
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................266
detergent in fuel .....................261
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................257, 261, 263
filter, specifications ........262, 282
fuel pump shut-off switch .....205
gauge .........................................17
improving fuel economy ........262
octane rating ...................260, 287
quality ......................................260
running out of fuel .................261
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................257
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .........................257, 259–260
Fuses ..................................206–207
G
Garage door opener ..............86, 88
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......10, 261
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................262
Gauges .........................................14
battery voltage gauge ...............16
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................15
engine oil pressure gauge ........17
fuel gauge ..................................17
odometer ...................................15
speedometer .............................14
tachometer ................................16
trip odometer ............................16
Index
306

interior lamps ...........................87
replacing bulbs .......268, 270–273
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................77
Liftgate ................................99, 103
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
AdvanceTrac .............................12
air bag ........................................10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....11, 175
brake ..........................................10
charging system ........................12
check coolant ............................11
cruise indicator .........................13
door ajar
....................................12
engine oil pressure
...................11
fuel cap light
.............................10
high beam
.................................12
low washer fluid
.......................12
overdrive off
..............................13
safety belt
.................................10
service engine soon
....................9
speed control
............................82
turn signal indicator
.................12
Limited-slip axle
.......................194
Load limits
.................................194
GAWR
......................................194
GVWR
......................................194
trailer towing
..........................194
Loading instructions
.................196
Locks
autolock
...................................111
childproof
..................................96
doors
..........................................95
Lubricant specifications
...285, 287
Lumbar support, seats
.............124M
Manual transmission
lubricant specifications ..........287
Message center .....................19–20
english/metric button ...............25
system check button ................25
warning messages .....................25
Mirrors .........................................93
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................92
fold away ...................................97
heated ........................................97
side view mirrors (power) .......96
Moon roof ....................................86
Motorcraft parts ................262, 282
O
Octane rating ............................260
Odometer .....................................15
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................233
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................103
Parking brake ............................176
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....282
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................33
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................211
Power door locks ........................95
Power mirrors .............................96
Power point .................................98
Power steering ..........................180
Index
308